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Connectivity

Bringing Affordable GSM Mobile Connectivity to the Unconnected
The Development Fund’s Connectivity initiative aims to bring affordable GSM mobile connectivity to remote rural communities and areas previously unconnected.

Around 3 billion people, half the world’s population, live and work in rural areas that lack access to voice and data communications. By providing mobile phone and Internet connectivity to these communities, we can help drive social and economic development through access to people, information and services such as healthcare, education, employment opportunities and market information.

Connectivity Projects
The Connectivity Initiative delivers three types of projects:

• Community Phones – Provision of shared GSM telecommunication devices that are managed by local entrepreneurs who charge a fee for the service.
• Community Internet – Use of enhanced GSM networks to bring Internet access to computers in fixed booths run by local entrepreneurs.
• Connectivity Extension – Application of GSM technology to special projects such as extending coverage on Lake Victoria for safety purposes and supporting the management of wildlife and the conservation of the environment.

To date we have rolled out 12 Community Phone and Internet projects creating more than 35,000 Community Phone entrepreneurs and 600 GSM Internet cafes, as well as two Connectivity Extension projects in Africa and Asia. See our list of projects.

Working with Us
We work closely with mobile operators to create sustainable business solutions through the deployment of phone and Internet services that are commercial, scalable and easily replicated.  

We support operators in the following ways:

• Catalyse Innovation – identify new opportunities and provide resources to stimulate projects.
• Drive Market Scaling – help prepare operators to scale projects from pilot to full rollout.
• Knowledge Networking – facilitate connections and sharing of market information and best practices.

If you are a mobile operator seeking support to launch mobile phone and Internet services in developing markets, please contact us.